DID YOU READ

James McTeigue says Occupy protestors using “V for Vendetta” masks “got the film”

When the Occupy protests started popping up around the country–and the world–last year, there was one face that many were surprised to see present: Guy Fawkes.

During the protests, people started wearing the Guy Fawkes mask popularized by the 2006 film “V for Vendetta.” While some protestors likely wore it to align themselves with the beliefs held by 17th century protestor Guy Fawkes, others said they felt “V for Vendetta” is very relevant with the problems facing our country today.

IFC had the chance to catch up with “V” director James McTeigue while he was promoting his new movie, “The Raven,” and we couldn’t resist asking him what he thought of the use of the Guy Fawkes masks during the Occupy protests.

“I think they got the film,” he said. “The graphic novel was more about the individual, and very consciously I made the film about the mask, or about the populous, if you like. So when I saw all those people in the masks, I thought it was great. The film talks about a lot of things, obviously, but you know that is a big part. The questioning of government in your life and whether government is truly, in a democracy, representing you. You know, it also talks about the morality of terrorism and what makes a terrorist, but yeah, I liked it. I would have to say I was all for it.”

McTeigue said that anyone making a film hopes that it becomes part of the public conversation. To see the Guy Fawkes masks used in such a widespread way was a great honor to him as a filmmaker.

“I think there’s so much cultural noise now. When you make a film, you hope you’ll make some sort of slight impact, imprint, along the way. To see the ‘V’ masks slip into the cultural vernacular, if you want, I thought that was great, because ultimately it was what the film was about,” he said. “It was about questioning government. It was about questioning whether the voice of the people is actually the voice of the people, and whether you ever get true representation.”

He continued, “I think there were a couple of generations there that were completely non-politicized, and I thought this was the rebirth of people being politicized. And I think the mask, in a weird way, gave them a chance to protest again, or gave them a chance to have a voice. They could be anonymous behind the mask and be unified. I think anything that gets people out into the street and they feel like they can protest and be protected by the mask, and I think that was great, actually.”

I must admit that I absolutely adore “V for Vendetta” and consider it one of my favorite movies. I said as much to McTeigue, and he said that it’s nice to see the film has had continued success since its release six years ago.

“It’s always really nice to hear feedback on that movie,” McTeigue said. “It took a while for people to come round to it, but I’m really glad that so many people like that movie now.”

He acknowledged that “V for Vendetta” was probably one of the best experiences a first-time director could have making a movie, and it helped that he had worked with the Wachowskis on their successful “The Matrix” trilogy.

“I was really glad I got to make it in the climate that I got to make it. It would be hard to get a film like that through the studio system these days, so it’s one of those things you get to do on the back of working on movies that have made a lot of money,” he said with a laugh.

Were you surprised that people were using Guy Fawkes masks during the Occupy protests? Do you think “V for Vendetta” still resonates today? Tell us in the comments section below or on Facebook and Twitter.

Whips, Chains and Hand Sanitizer

Jenny Jaffe has a lot going on: She’s writing for Disney’s upcoming Big Hero 6: The Series, developing comedy projects with pals at Devastator Press, and she’s straddling the line between S&M and OCD as the creator and star of the sexyish new series Neurotica, which has just made its debut on IFC’s Comedy Crib. Jenny gave us some extremely intimate insight into what makes Neurotica (safely) sizzle…

IFC: How would you describe Neurotica to a fancy network executive you met in an elevator?

Jenny: Neurotica is about a plucky Dominatrix with OCD trying to save her small-town dungeon.

IFC: How would you describe Neurotica to a drunk friend of a friend you met in a bar?

Jenny: Neurotica is about a plucky Dominatrix with OCD trying to save her small-town dungeon. You’re great. We should get coffee sometime. I’m not just saying that. I know other people just say that sometimes but I really feel like we’re going to be friends, you know? Here, what’s your number, I’ll call you so you can have my number!

IFC: What’s your comedy origin story?

Jenny: Since I was a kid I’ve dealt with severe OCD and anxiety. Comedy has always been one of the ways I’ve dealt with that. I honestly just want to help make people feel happy for a few minutes at a time.

IFC: What was the genesis of Neurotica?

Jenny: I’m pretty sure it was a title-first situation. I was coming up with ideas to pitch to a production company a million years ago (this isn’t hyperbole; I am VERY old) and just wrote down “Neurotica”; then it just sort of appeared fully formed. “Neurotica? Oh it’s an over-the-top romantic comedy about a Dominatrix with OCD, of course.” And that just happened to hit the buttons of everything I’m fascinated by.

Jenny: You can use any of their locations but you’ll always forget you have a membership and in a year you’ll be like “jeez why won’t they let me just cancel?”

IFC: Mouths are gross! Why is that?

Jenny: If you had never seen a mouth before and I was like “it’s a wet flesh cave with sharp parts that lives in your face”, it would sound like Cronenberg-ian body horror. All body parts are horrifying. I’m kind of rooting for the singularity, I’d feel way better if I was just a consciousness in a cloud.

Thoughts like those are normal. After all, we tend to remember lasting psychological trauma more vividly than fleeting joy. But if you dig deep, you’ll rediscover that the ’90s gave us so much to fondly revisit. Consider the four pillars of true ’90s culture.

Boy Bands

We all pretended to hate them, but watch us come alive at a karaoke bar when “I Want It That Way” comes on. Arguably more influential than Brit Pop and Grunge put together, because hello – Justin Timberlake. He’s a legitimate cultural gem.

Man-Child Movies

Adam Sandler is just behind The Simpsons in terms of his influence on humor. Somehow his man-child schtick didn’t get old until the aughts, and his success in that arena ushered in a wave of other man-child movies from fellow ’90s comedians. RIP Chris Farley (and WTF Rob Schneider).

Teen Angst

In horror, dramas, comedies, and everything in between: Troubled teens! Getting into trouble! Who couldn’t relate to their First World problems, plaid flannels, and lose grasp of the internet?

Mainstream Nihilism

From the Coen Bros to Fincher to Tarantino, filmmakers on the verge of explosive popularity seemed interested in one thing: mind f*cking their audiences by putting characters in situations (and plot lines) beyond anyone’s control.

Feeling better about that walk down memory lane? Good. Enjoy the revival.

DVDs are the new Vinyl

In this crazy digital age, sometimes all we really want is to reach out and touch something. Maybe that’s why so many of us are still gung-ho about owning stuff on DVD. It’s tangible. It’s real. It’s tech from a bygone era that still feels relevant, yet also kitschy and retro. It’s basically vinyl for people born after 1990.

Inevitably we all have that friend whose love of the disc is so absolutely repellent that he makes the technology less appealing. “The resolution, man. The colors. You can’t get latitude like that on a download.” Go to hell, Tim.

Yes, Tim sucks, and you don’t want to be like Tim, but maybe he’s onto something and DVD is still the future. Here are some benefits that go beyond touch.

It’s Decor and Decorum

With DVDs and a handsome bookshelf you can show off your great taste in film and television without showing off your search history. Good for first dates, dinner parties, family reunions, etc.

Forget Public Wifi

Inter-not

Internet service goes down. It happens all the time. It could happen right now. Then what? Without a DVD on hand you’ll be forced to make eye contact with your friends and family. Or worse – conversation.